The West Perth District undertook a new program in 2008 in which parents were handed the responsibility of umpiring matches in the nine and ten age groups. The introduction of this program was not derived from a shortage of junior umpires but from game environment concerns in modified football. A proposal was put to the WA Football to train parents to umpire in these age groups with clubs recruiting parent volunteers to take on the responsibility (as they would other volunteer roles such as Coach and Team Manager).

The Parent Umpire Program, now in its tenth year has worked to educate parents (within the team) as to modified AFL rules and in reducing game day environment issues. Game day environment issues have anecdotally been reduced with feedback supporting:

Parents are less likely to question, berate and abuse a fellow parent from within their team

The program up skills parents in early age groups as to the role of the umpire creating umpire advocates and supporters with team groups in future years

Between 2008 - 2017 the parent program has been a huge success with over 600 parents registered to be a parent umpire. Since the conception there has been many enquiries from parents involved about continuing to umpire through their child’s junior football beyond Year 3 and 4, increasing the skill set within umpire groups.

2018:

In 2018 the Parent Umpire Program will roll out across the three Metro North districts. The Parent Umpire Program will be run in Year 3 age groups in the Claremont, Subiaco and West Perth Districts and in Year 4 age groups in the West Perth District.

All clubs wishing to nominate teams in the Year 3 (and Year 4 age groups – WP only) are required to participate in the program.

How the program works:

Each team is required to nominate and supply a minimum of two Parent Umpires to attend training and umpire during season 2018. This is a requirement to register a team in the 2018 competition. Teams can nominate more than two Parent Umpires.

The Parent Umpire Program is designed to give the parent volunteers the basic understanding of how to umpire a junior match and specifically looking just at the modified rules of Year 3s and 4s football.

Two Parent Umpires will umpire each match (one from each team). A minimum of one Parent Umpire is required at a match for the match to go ahead however two are preferred at all times.

Parent Umpires are not to be paid for their role.

The Parent Umpire Program will receive support from the Assistant Competition Director/s with training provided by the Junior Football League and Umpiring Groups.

Parent Umpires will be required to wear the Junior Football League approved Parent Umpire Vest and Lanyard.

Parent Umpires will be provided with umpiring resources including rules manual, whistle and resources.

Parent Umpire Course Dates:

Course 1: Thursday 5th April 2018 – Venue: HBF Arena, Joondalup

6.00pm – 9.00pm. Refreshments provided

Course 2: Sunday 15th April 2018 – Venue: Leederville, Leederville

9am – 12noon. Tea/Coffee and morning tea provided

Course 3: Monday 23rd April – Venue: HBF Arena, Joondalup

6.00pm – 9.00pm. Refreshments provided

Course 4: Saturday 28th April 2018 – Venue: Claremont Oval, Claremont

9am – 12noon. Tea/Coffee and morning tea provided

Parent Umpire Program Cost:

Parent Umpire Course Cost: $30.00 (includes resources and whistle)

Clubs will be invoiced according to Parent Umpire Registrations

Parent Umpire Vests: at cost ~ $15.00 (TBC on supplier quotes)

Parent Umpire Match Day Umpire Payments: $0.00 (Parent Umpires are not to be paid for their role)

Register online:

Parent Umpires are required to register to attend one of the four training courses listed above.